Okay, here’s the truth: 2019 has been a year. There’s been so much growth but it’s also been the absolute hardest year of my life. Or maybe that shouldn’t be surprising. In 2019 I decided to focus less on “likes” and more on learning my craft. Lessons seem to hit you harder when you’re really digging in. Here are a few of the big lessons I learned this past year, and photos to prove it!

1. Invest in education

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein

So I’ve been fan-girling over a crazy talented wedding photographer, Esteban Gil, for a few years. He started a photography community on Facebook so I joined immediately! Then he started hosting wedding lighting workshops and I knew I had to sign up! He announced one in Cincinnati so texted my family down there and set up a plan. I was an absolute bundle of nerves, wondering if I could keep up with other professional wedding photographers. I took as many notes as humanly possible, asked tons of questions, and left wishing we could stay there for a week! This workshop really lit a fire in me, and helped me lean into wedding season and encouraged me to try new, creative things. Here are some of the photos I created while I was there. I don’t love them all, but that’s the best part of learning! I kept trying, and now I’ve used the posing and lighting techniques I learned at this workshop to create some truly beautiful pieces of art for my clients this year.

2. Involve yourself in a community

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller

Being a small business owner can be very lonely. Long hours without someone to pat you on the back when you finish a project. Being your own social media manager, accountant, account representative and production assistant. This past year, I became involved in a group called Tuesdays Together. It’s a project started by a larger creative organization, The Rising Tide Society. It focuses on “community over competition” and is based on the idea that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” I’ve both made and grown so many relationships through this group. They’re almost like co-workers because you can reach out to them with an idea or opportunity and they know where you’re coming from. Here are a few photos that I took while second shooting for another Rising Tide member, Matt Erickson Photography. It was so great to see a fellow creative in action, and I hope to collaborate with him again in the future!

3. When you go for something, really go for it

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” - Thomas Jefferson

If you had told me that 2019 meant a new studio, I may have called you crazy. I used to consider myself a “natural light photographer” and in many cases, that doesn’t work well with the idea of being a studio photographer. But I took a long look at how I wanted to grow my business and the path became clear pretty quickly: a studio allows me to introduce more newborn, family and boudoir sessions. So I made a plan. I ran the numbers once, twice, thirty-seven times. Then I took the plunge. I researched, I viewed properties, I FOUND THE RIGHT ONE!! The best part? The studio that I had my eye on has an entire wall of windows and included a field out back that I was free to use! HELLO, NATURAL-ISH LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER. Here are two beautiful sessions that included both studio and outdoor time. I couldn’t be happier with my new space, and I can’t wait to show you more of my plans to grow it!

The hardest (and best) part about being a small business owner is that the work never stops. There’s always room to create. Whether that means venturing into new avenues of photography, or honing my skills for something I already love, my job requires continual learning. I’ve made my goals for 2020, and I’m looking to checking in here throughout the year to show you all what I’m up to!

What lessons did you learn in 2019? Share your thoughts in the comments!